Tēnā koutou katoa Greetings to you all

Armistice Day is commemorated every year on November 11 to mark the armistice signed for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War 1, which took effect at 11am - on the 11th hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month 1918. We join our Returned Services Associations in laying a wreath at our Cenotaphs as our mark of respect. This will be carried out with services being held in Dannevirke, Norsewood, Woodville, Pahiatua and Eketāhuna. Attendees are asked to gather at the cenotaphs at 10:45am. Attendees in Eketāhuna are asked to gather at 10.30am. Anyone wishing to lay a wreath please make contact with your local RSA.

Kei ware ware tātou - Lest we forget

On a very special note, Happy 102nd Birthday to our oldest Veteran Bonny Bodley.

Council is working jointly with 17 similarly impacted councils on a submission for the national direction for plantation and exotic carbon afforestation. It is imperative we get this policy right with Government’s preference for local councils to consent carbon forestry. We will need the right tools to be able to carry out consenting and the impact to rural communities needs to be part of the broader criteria, given the cumulative effects.

We are also working on a submission on the Pricing Agricultural Emissions consultation. There is plenty of discussion in our rural sector around this work and especially with Beef and Lamb, DairyNZ and Federated Farmers, alongside other industry bodies who have worked together on He Waka Eke Noa Agricultural Pricing Options for 18 months. These were tough conversations and while much has been included in the Government’s Agricultual Emissions Pricing Policy, there are some key changes. It is critical farmers record their frustration and put the emotion to pen and submit on this proposal. There is industry support to do this so please reach out if you need assistance.

Noho ora mai,